Customer Reviews

Canyoneering: A Guide to Techniques for Wet and Dry Canyons (How To Climb Series)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Overall a nicely illustrated, high quality book, but here's the bottom line: if you already have traditional, multi-pitch rockclimbing experience, you don't need this book to get into canyoneering. If you don't, get some real experience with a qualified partner / guide before heading down a technical canyon on your own. As in any sport with the potential for major injury or death, not this book or any other will ever come close to substituting for competent hands-on instruction.

A few specifics on the book: The section on canyoneering equipment is good (although nothing that can't be found on the web). Quite a bit of the book covers hardware and techniques borrowed from rockclimbing. Many of the anchors, knots and rope techniques presented are quite advanced, more appropriate for guides and instructors. The chapter on rescue is so advanced that "staying put and waiting for help" is probably the better option 98% of the time. The chapter on navigating potholes wasn't as extensive or helpful as I had hoped (its mainly basic aid techniques and common sense). "How-to" books can be useful, and this is a good overview of canyoneering, but I think the subject is just too big to be conveyed in print.

I am not aware of a single resource that provides more detailed, practical information on the sport of canyoneering than this book. Dave Black has provided the canyoneering community with the reference guide so many of us have been asking for.

I am glad I got this book. It does provide a good summary and covers: knots to 'biners, other equipment, techniques, etc. I am glad I bought this.

Good information about technical skills. It should give anyone looking into canyoneering a glimpse at what's involved and needed.

It's the next best thing to actually taking a class (or two or three) with Dave Black! Great pictures.